Important information for the beginning of the school year regarding band instruments, etc....
To Parents of Prospective Band Students: Your child has the opportunity to join the school’s band. This opportunity should be taken seriously, as it may be the best chance in your child’s life to learn instrumental music. The expectation is that your child spends the full school year in band once he/she signs up your child’s interest and ability cannot be accurately assessed with less than a full year’s effort.
Parents should encourage their children to try the band program because band students do well in school! Educational research and our own experience shows that band students become more involved in their education, obtain higher grades, and receive more scholarships than non-band students. This is because they become part of a team of students who are constantly striving for success and perfection in music and this attitude spills over to other subject areas.
A student can eventually use the acquired musical skills to play any kind of music desired, whether that is concert band, symphonic, jazz, rock, folk, bhangra, country and western or popular music. It is essential however to learn the basics of music performance first by learning to play a musical instrument and to read music. This is what is taught in the grade 7 Band Program. GRADE 6/7 BAND PHILOSOPHIES “The Surrey School District elementary band program is available to all Grade 7 students. A component of the Fine Arts strand, this program is offered in all schools by specialist teachers. It is a child-centered program in which most children are introduced to the challenges of a band experience for the first time.” “Intended learning outcomes include development of individual and group music skills, opportunities for performance and appreciation of the per-forming arts.” “The elementary band program should be viewed as an integral part of the total school experience. OBTAIN AN INSTRUMENT Grade 7 Band is the first step in a 6 year consecutive band program offered by Surrey School District. As this first step sets the groundwork for your child’s future in band, it is most important that a good quality instrument be obtained. There are two basic ways to acquire a band instrument:
Deal with a retail music company. Outright purchase of a new or used instrument is cheaper than long-term renting, but is not recommended initially. Rather, renting a new or used instrument from a music company is the method most recommended by band teachers, at least for the first year. Please read the section below entitled Suggestions for Renting a Band Instrument.
Obtain an instrument from a private party, such as purchasing a used instrument through the classified ads, or borrowing a used instrument from a friend or relative. Such instruments invariably require servicing. Please take them to one of the companies listed below for servicing in time for the first band class in September.
MUSIC COMPANIES The following companies are Surrey companies that are expected to provide good quality instruments, reasonable prices and respectful service to Surrey students. v Long and McQuade - 13785 – 104th Ave. Surrey …. 604 588-9421 www.long-mcquade.comwww.long-mcquade.com/location/32 v Long and McQuade - #305-6339-200th St Langley …. 604 530-8704 www.long-mcquade.comwww.long-mcquade.com/location/British_Columbia/Langley/ v R & R Music - 8291 – 120 Street, Delta …. 604 591-8525 www.rrmusic.com v Tapestry Music - 1335 Johnston Road, W.Rock .... 604 538-0906 www.tapestrymusic.com v Tom Lee Music - 10090 – 152 St. Surrey …. 604 588-3200 www.tomleemusic.ca v Tom Lee Music - 19638 Fraser Hwy Langley …. 604 532-8303 v Matterhorn Music - #70 – 7788 132nd Street Surrey …. 604 596-7616 www.matterhornmusic.ca Rental Prices Due to the competitive nature of the industry, Surrey enjoys some of the lowest rental rates in the country. Rental price varies widely depending on several factors.
Saxophones are generally more expensive than other instruments.
Paying the whole year in advance is cheaper than paying by the month.
Some brands are more expensive than others. Generally, you can expect to pay the following price ranges if renting a new instrument. Be aware that most companies also have used instruments available at lower prices. Flutes/Clarinets/Trumpets/Trombones - $12.00 to $22.50/month. Snare drum kits - $12.00 to $20.00/month. Saxophones - $22.00 to $50.00/month.
Suggestions for Renting a Band Instrument
A. Prior to going to the music store: 1. Find out from your child which instrument the teacher has approved, and which Band Method Book the teacher requires. 2. Find out about insurance. Insurance for the band instrument is recommended. Most home insurance policies, for only a few dollars, can be adjusted to cover the instrument for all perils with no deductible. Or, you can purchase an insurance policy from the music store at the time when you rent the instrument. Check with both the music company and your home insurance company to find the best deal. 3. Please be aware that only adults may rent an instrument. Do not send your student with an older friend or sibling. An adult with credit card and proper ID is required for most rental transactions. 4. Phone the companies listed above and ask about the following: - hours of business and best time to visit the store - exact cost of new or used rental instrument - initial payment requirements, payment frequency, etc. - cost of optional insurance premiums, and the amount you must pay (deductible) in case of loss or severe damage - cost of the Band Method Book 5. If you are planning on purchasing an instrument PLEASE only purchase a band instrument from a MUSIC STORE only! There are many EXTREMELY LOW QUALITY band instruments for sale in various types of retail stores and it is strongly recommended that you only purchase a band instrument from a music store. The purchase price may appear to be a “real” bargain but these instruments are very difficult to play and will very likely be not be repairable in the event of even the slightest damage due to the quality of the materials used in manufacturing.
B. At the music store: 1. Specify the type of instrument you want and the name of the method book(s) your band teacher requires. 2. Ask about insurance in case of theft, damage, or mysterious disappearance of the instrument. What is the monthly charge, and what is the deductible charge if lost or damaged? Most stores will offer a $1.00 monthly insurance coverage that will completely cover all damages and instrument loss without deductible charges. This is a very important policy to ask about when renting. Home owner’s insurance may also cover instrument loss but you will have to pay your home owner’s deductable fee which may likely be the cost for purchasing a brand new instrument. 3. Make certain the following are included with the instruments: Clarinets: 2 or more #2 reeds, reed guard, swab, cork grease, mouth piece cap Saxophones: 2 or more #2 reeds, reed guard, swab, cork grease, mouthpiece cap, neck strap Flutes: swab and cleaning rod Valve Brass (Trumpet, French Horn Baritone Horn, Tuba: slide grease, mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake Snare Kit: practice pad, sticks, and drum stand that is tall enough for stand-up drumming 4. Additional accessories you may wish to consider at this time: - additional reeds for clarinet and saxophone (a very good idea) - folding music stand - insurance as indicated above
FEEDBACK ON MUSIC COMPANIES The band teachers and the Surrey School District Fine Arts Department are very interested in hearing your comments, both positive and negative, about the music company you select. All of the companies listed above have the interests of our students at heart, as each student represents the future of the music industry and a potential life-long customer.
We anticipate that parents and students alike will receive friendly treatment, prompt service, and top quality instruments from every music company. When an instrument needs repair, the company should fix the instrument within 2 days, and offer a loaner instrument for the student’s use in the meantime. If you encounter any problems or concerns in dealing with the music store, please make your thoughts known to your band teacher or to the Surrey Fine Arts Department, 604-590-2255.
Instrument Choices The following instruments are the only available instruments for the Grade 7 Band class but as you progress into a high school music program, there will be more choices of instruments available to you at that time. Please choose from the following list of Instruments.
(Please remember to pick up a band method book for your instrument when you are at the music store)
The method book we will be using this year can easily be found at most music stores where you are renting your instrument. The method book we will be using is the Essential Elements 2000 with a CD/DVDpublished by Hal Leonard Music.
The CD covers the first 58 exercises. The remaining exercise tracks are FREE to download at the above site. From the very beginning, students can model tone production and technique by listening to a professional soloist on their specific instrument! The exercises are played twice – students can first play along with the professional player, and then play “solo” with the accompaniment track. These accompaniments (on real instruments, not synthesized) teach phrasing and dynamics, encouraging musicality from the very beginning, while students explore a wide variety of musical styles and cultures – classical, rock, jazz, country and world music!
The CD can also be used as a CD-ROM with a PC or Mac computer. • SmartMusic® software • Finale NotePad® software • Tempo Adjustment software (for play-along tracks)
DVD AND VIDEO! The DVD offers even more features for student learning. In addition to the tools on the CD, the DVD gives each student a start-up video to learn the basics for their instrument – just like a private lesson with a teacher! The DVD can also be used with a PC or Mac computer for additional features that do not appear on the CD:
• All play-along tracks - for the entire book (with tempo adjustment software) • Additional, printable Duet and Trio Music (for any combination of instruments) • A Band Music Listening Library
Making Music Makes You Smarter
Rhythm students learn fractions easier: · A recent study found a direct relationship between music and stronger grades in mathematics. Grade two and three students that learned about quarter, half and whole notes as used in music, scored 100 per cent higher on mathematical tests involving fractions that their peers who were taught fractions using traditional methods[1][1]. Piano students are better equipped to comprehend mathematical and scientific concepts: · Taking piano lessons and using math puzzle software significantly improves math skills of elementary school children[2][2]. · A 1997 study announced that six months of piano keyboard training caused enhancement of spatial-temporal reasoning in preschool children: they scored 34 per cent higher on puzzle-solving tests and found that active music making, not passive music listening, is the key to enhanced spatial-temporal reasoning. The findings also indicate that music uniquely enhances higher brain functions required for mathematics, chess, science and engineering[3][3]. Music students get higher marks in standardized tests: · An analysis of the U.S. Department of Education NELLS888 database of over 25,000 students followed over a ten year period found that a higher percentage of students who were involved in music scored higher on standardized tests, reading and reading proficiency exams than those students who were not involved in music programs, regardless of their socio-economic background[4][4]. · A study found that the students in the music program scored higher on the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) than non-music students[5][5]. · Students with course work or experience in music scored 52 points higher on the verbal portion of the SAT and 36 points higher on the math portion of the SAT than students with no coursework or experience in the arts[6][6].
Music students enjoy greater academic success: · Music majors scored the highest reading scores among all majors including English, biology, chemistry and math[7][7]. · Physician and biologist Lewis Thomas studied the undergraduate majors of medical school applicants. He found that 66 per cent of music majors who applied to med school were admitted, the highest percentage of any group (only forty-four per cent of biochemistry majors were admitted).
Additional benefits of music: · Secondary students who participated in band or orchestra reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or any illicit drug)[8][8]. · A research team studying first graders from two Rhode Island elementary schools found that students who participated in an “enriched, sequential, skill building music program” dramatically increased their reading and math performance and improvements were noted in attitude and behaviour[9][9]. · Research found that musical experience during childhood influences the structural development of the auditory cortex. The brain area, which is used to analyze musical pitch is an average of 25 per cent larger in musicians[10][10]. [11][1]Dr. Gordon Shaw (Neurological Research, March 15, 1999) [12][2] Dr. Gordon Shaw (Neurological Research, March 15, 1999) [13][3] Dr. Frances Rauscher and Dr. Gordon Shaw, (Nerological Research, February 28, 1997) [14][4] Dr. James Catterall, UCLA, 1997. [15][5] J. Robitaille and S. O’Neal, (“Why Instrumental Music in Elementary Schools” Phi Beta Kappan 3 (1981): 213) [16][6] Profiles of SAT and Achievement Test Takers, The College Board (1998) [17][7] “The case for music in the schools” Phi Beta Kappan, February 1994. [18][8] Report released by the Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, as quoted in the Houston Chronicle, January 11, 1998 [19][9] Nature, May 23, 1996. [20][10] C. Pantev et al. (Nature, April 23, 1998)
Please e-mail Mr. Lee at Lee_K@sd36.bc.ca if you have any questions.
Important information for the beginning of the school year regarding band instruments, etc....
To Parents of Prospective Band Students:
Your child has the opportunity to join the school’s band. This opportunity should be taken seriously, as it may be the best chance in your child’s life to learn instrumental music. The expectation is that your child spends the full school year in band once he/she signs up your child’s interest and ability cannot be accurately assessed with less than a full year’s effort.
Parents should encourage their children to try the band program because band students do well in school! Educational research and our own experience shows that band students become more involved in their education, obtain higher grades, and receive more scholarships than non-band students. This is because they become part of a team of students who are constantly striving for success and perfection in music and this attitude spills over to other subject areas.
A student can eventually use the acquired musical skills to play any kind of music desired, whether that is concert band, symphonic, jazz, rock, folk, bhangra, country and western or popular music. It is essential however to learn the basics of music performance first by learning to play a musical instrument and to read music. This is what is taught in the grade 7 Band Program.
GRADE 6/7 BAND PHILOSOPHIES
“The Surrey School District elementary band program is available to all Grade 7 students. A component of the Fine Arts strand, this program is offered in all schools by specialist teachers. It is a child-centered program in which most children are introduced to the challenges of a band experience for the first time.”
“Intended learning outcomes include development of individual and group music skills, opportunities for performance and appreciation of the per-forming arts.”
“The elementary band program should be viewed as an integral part of the total school experience.
OBTAIN AN INSTRUMENT
Grade 7 Band is the first step in a 6 year consecutive band program offered by Surrey School District. As this first step sets the groundwork for your child’s future in band, it is most important that a good quality instrument be obtained. There are two basic ways to acquire a band instrument:
MUSIC COMPANIES
The following companies are Surrey companies that are expected to provide good quality instruments, reasonable prices and respectful service to Surrey students.
v Long and McQuade - 13785 – 104th Ave. Surrey …. 604 588-9421 www.long-mcquade.com www.long-mcquade.com/location/32
v Long and McQuade - #305-6339-200th St Langley …. 604 530-8704 www.long-mcquade.com www.long-mcquade.com/location/British_Columbia/Langley/
v R & R Music - 8291 – 120 Street, Delta …. 604 591-8525 www.rrmusic.com
v Tapestry Music - 1335 Johnston Road, W.Rock .... 604 538-0906 www.tapestrymusic.com
v Tom Lee Music - 10090 – 152 St. Surrey …. 604 588-3200 www.tomleemusic.ca
v Tom Lee Music - 19638 Fraser Hwy Langley …. 604 532-8303
v Matterhorn Music - #70 – 7788 132nd Street Surrey …. 604 596-7616 www.matterhornmusic.ca
Rental Prices
Due to the competitive nature of the industry, Surrey enjoys some of the lowest rental rates in the country. Rental price varies widely depending on several factors.
Suggestions for Renting a Band Instrument
A. Prior to going to the music store:
1. Find out from your child which instrument the teacher has approved, and which Band Method Book the teacher requires.
2. Find out about insurance. Insurance for the band instrument is recommended. Most home insurance policies, for only a few dollars, can be adjusted to cover the instrument for all perils with no deductible.
Or, you can purchase an insurance policy from the music store at the time when you rent the instrument. Check with both the music company and your home insurance company to find the best deal.
3. Please be aware that only adults may rent an instrument. Do not send your student with an older friend or sibling. An adult with credit card and proper ID is required for most rental transactions.
4. Phone the companies listed above and ask about the following:
- hours of business and best time to visit the store
- exact cost of new or used rental instrument
- initial payment requirements, payment frequency, etc.
- cost of optional insurance premiums, and the amount you must pay (deductible) in case of
loss or severe damage
- cost of the Band Method Book
5. If you are planning on purchasing an instrument PLEASE only purchase a band instrument from a MUSIC STORE only! There are many EXTREMELY LOW QUALITY band instruments for sale in various types of retail stores and it is strongly recommended that you only purchase a band instrument from a music store. The purchase price may appear to be a “real” bargain but these instruments are very difficult to play and will very likely be not be repairable in the event of even the slightest damage due to the quality of the materials used in manufacturing.
B. At the music store:
1. Specify the type of instrument you want and the name of the method book(s) your band teacher requires.
2. Ask about insurance in case of theft, damage, or mysterious disappearance of the instrument. What is the monthly charge, and what is the deductible charge if lost or damaged? Most stores will offer a $1.00 monthly insurance coverage that will completely cover all damages and instrument loss without deductible charges. This is a very important policy to ask about when renting. Home owner’s insurance may also cover instrument loss but you will have to pay your home owner’s deductable fee which may likely be the cost for purchasing a brand new instrument.
3. Make certain the following are included with the instruments:
Clarinets: 2 or more #2 reeds, reed guard, swab, cork grease, mouth piece cap
Saxophones: 2 or more #2 reeds, reed guard, swab, cork grease, mouthpiece cap, neck strap
Flutes: swab and cleaning rod
Valve Brass (Trumpet, French Horn Baritone Horn, Tuba: slide grease, mouthpiece brush,
cleaning snake
Snare Kit: practice pad, sticks, and drum stand that is tall enough for stand-up drumming
4. Additional accessories you may wish to consider at this time:
- additional reeds for clarinet and saxophone (a very good idea)
- folding music stand
- insurance as indicated above
FEEDBACK ON MUSIC COMPANIES
The band teachers and the Surrey School District Fine Arts Department are very interested in hearing your comments, both positive and negative, about the music company you select. All of the companies listed above have the interests of our students at heart, as each student represents the future of the music industry and a potential life-long customer.
We anticipate that parents and students alike will receive friendly treatment, prompt service, and top quality instruments from every music company. When an instrument needs repair, the company should fix the instrument within 2 days, and offer a loaner instrument for the student’s use in the meantime. If you encounter any problems or concerns in dealing with the music store, please make your thoughts known to your band teacher or to the Surrey Fine Arts Department, 604-590-2255.
Instrument Choices
The following instruments are the only available instruments for the Grade 7 Band class but as you progress into a high school music program, there will be more choices of instruments available to you at that time. Please choose from the following list of Instruments.
Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone Horn, Tuba, Electric Bass (by permission),Snare Drum (by permission), Bells
Band Method Book Elements 2000 with a CD/DVD
(Please remember to pick up a band method book for your instrument when you are at the music store)The method book we will be using this year can easily be found at most music stores where you are renting your instrument. The method book we will be using is the Essential Elements 2000 with a CD/DVD published by Hal Leonard Music.
For a sample of this method book, please visit this web link:
http://www.halleonard.com/featureResultsList.jsp?featureCat=18&li=yes&location=BandOrchestra
There are also free downloads available at this site.
The CD covers the first 58 exercises. The remaining exercise tracks are FREE to download at the above site. From the very beginning, students can model tone production and technique by listening to a professional soloist on their specific instrument! The exercises are played twice – students can first play along with the professional player, and then play “solo” with the accompaniment track. These accompaniments (on real instruments, not synthesized) teach phrasing and dynamics, encouraging musicality from the very beginning, while students explore a wide variety of musical styles and cultures – classical, rock, jazz, country and world music!
The CD can also be used as a CD-ROM with a PC or Mac computer.
• SmartMusic® software
• Finale NotePad® software
• Tempo Adjustment software (for play-along tracks)
DVD AND VIDEO!
The DVD offers even more features for student learning. In addition to the tools on the CD, the DVD gives each student a start-up video to learn the basics for their instrument – just like a private lesson with a teacher! The DVD can also be used with a PC or Mac computer for additional features that do not appear on the CD:
• All play-along tracks - for the entire book (with tempo adjustment software)
• Additional, printable Duet and Trio Music (for any combination of instruments)
• A Band Music Listening Library
Making Music Makes You Smarter
Rhythm students learn fractions easier:· A recent study found a direct relationship between music and stronger grades in mathematics. Grade two and three students that learned about quarter, half and whole notes as used in music, scored 100 per cent higher on mathematical tests involving fractions that their peers who were taught fractions using traditional methods[1][1].
Piano students are better equipped to comprehend mathematical and scientific concepts:
· Taking piano lessons and using math puzzle software significantly improves math skills of elementary school children[2][2].
· A 1997 study announced that six months of piano keyboard training caused enhancement of spatial-temporal reasoning in preschool children: they scored 34 per cent higher on puzzle-solving tests and found that active music making, not passive music listening, is the key to enhanced spatial-temporal reasoning. The findings also indicate that music uniquely enhances higher brain functions required for mathematics, chess, science and engineering[3][3].
Music students get higher marks in standardized tests:
· An analysis of the U.S. Department of Education NELLS888 database of over 25,000 students followed over a ten year period found that a higher percentage of students who were involved in music scored higher on standardized tests, reading and reading proficiency exams than those students who were not involved in music programs, regardless of their socio-economic background[4][4].
· A study found that the students in the music program scored higher on the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) than non-music students[5][5].
· Students with course work or experience in music scored 52 points higher on the verbal portion of the SAT and 36 points higher on the math portion of the SAT than students with no coursework or experience in the arts[6][6].
Music students enjoy greater academic success:
· Music majors scored the highest reading scores among all majors including English, biology, chemistry and math[7][7].
· Physician and biologist Lewis Thomas studied the undergraduate majors of medical school applicants. He found that 66 per cent of music majors who applied to med school were admitted, the highest percentage of any group (only forty-four per cent of biochemistry majors were admitted).
Additional benefits of music:
· Secondary students who participated in band or orchestra reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or any illicit drug)[8][8].
· A research team studying first graders from two Rhode Island elementary schools found that students who participated in an “enriched, sequential, skill building music program” dramatically increased their reading and math performance and improvements were noted in attitude and behaviour[9][9].
· Research found that musical experience during childhood influences the structural development of the auditory cortex. The brain area, which is used to analyze musical pitch is an average of 25 per cent larger in musicians[10][10].
[11][1]Dr. Gordon Shaw (Neurological Research, March 15, 1999)
[12][2] Dr. Gordon Shaw (Neurological Research, March 15, 1999)
[13][3] Dr. Frances Rauscher and Dr. Gordon Shaw, (Nerological Research, February 28, 1997)
[14][4] Dr. James Catterall, UCLA, 1997.
[15][5] J. Robitaille and S. O’Neal, (“Why Instrumental Music in Elementary Schools” Phi Beta Kappan 3 (1981): 213)
[16][6] Profiles of SAT and Achievement Test Takers, The College Board (1998)
[17][7] “The case for music in the schools” Phi Beta Kappan, February 1994.
[18][8] Report released by the Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, as quoted in the Houston Chronicle, January 11, 1998
[19][9] Nature, May 23, 1996.
[20][10] C. Pantev et al. (Nature, April 23, 1998)